Switch Point

Within a block of shifts. The point at which there is a switch from one type of shift to another. For example, in a rapidly rotating system based on three (8hr) shifts a day and a forward rotation within each block of shifts, the points at which there is a switch from Morning shifts to Afternoon shifts, and then from Afternoon shifts to Night shifts.

Across blocks of shifts. With a slowly rotating shift system the point at which there is a change from one type of shift to another. For example with a four crewrota based on two (12hr) shifts a day, the point at which there is a switch from blocks of Day shifts to blocks of Night shifts.

Within a Year. During the year, the point in a rota at which there is a change from one type of rota to another. For example, in an annual hours rota, the point at which there is a switch from the Basic rota with an even distribution of rest days, to a Summer rota generating extended rest periods.